Important information for current and prospective Psychology students
Because choosing a major is probably the most important academic decision you will make during your time in college, the faculty in the Psychology Department want you to have all of the information you need in order to make the best, most informed decision. Please read through this document carefully, and if you have any questions, contact one of our academic advisors. There are three pieces of information you should have if contemplating or have already chosen to major in Psychology at Madonna University.

The Mind and the Brain
Psychology is the study of the mind and the brain. In other words, psychologists are interested in subjective experiences such as emotions, thoughts, and consciousness, as well as the parts of the body – the brain and other parts of our nervous system – that serve as the physical basis for those subjective experiences. In studying the brain and the mind, psychologists generally take a scientific approach. We conduct research to learn more about the mind and brain in a way that is systematic and objective.

Sometimes, students who choose to major in Psychology mistakenly think that the field is about intuition, self-examination, or the pseudo-science put forth by pop culture figures seen on daytime talk shows. Those students are usually surprised to find out that psychology is a field that operates much as other sciences do, by rigorously testing its ideas through the collection and analysis of data. Psychology is the scientific study of mind and brain. In order to succeed as a psychology major, you should be aware of and comfortable with this fact.

Departmental Concentrations
The Psychology Department at Madonna University offers four different concentrations in the study of Psychology. It is critical that you choose the right concentration for you. Your decision about your major should be based on educational goals and what you are thinking of doing after graduation. Don't choose your major based on its name or a classmate's guess about what is right for you. To help you with this decision, visit each program's page for a description of each concentration.

A bachelor's degree does not permit graduates to "do therapy." By law, you need at least a master's degree in order to provide treatment services. However, the placements do entail crucial functions such as case management, client support, and aiding patients in daily activities. Some students decide to combine the Mental Health concentration with courses in Madonna University's Criminal Justice Department to position themselves for jobs as parole or probation officers.

Students whose career goals include providing psychological treatment (also known as psychotherapy or "therapy") must go on to graduate school to earn a master's degree and, in some cases, a doctorate degree.

Students contemplating graduate study in clinical or counseling psychology should know they do not have to elect this concentration in order to be prepared for graduate school. In fact, the strongest preparation for graduate school in Psychology would come from the Research Concentration and the Mental Health minor and PSY 4710. If you are interested in graduate study, we encourage you to consult with your advisor early on and often, and to attend the free annual presentation on this topic offered by the Psychology Department.

Once you have decided on one of the four undergraduate programs, make sure you complete the form required to declare (or change) your major. If you don't complete and submit this form immediately, you are not recognized as a student majoring in Psychology and will not receive important advising bulletins that are automatically generated.

If you're not sure that you want to major in psychology but are still interested in the field, keep in mind that our department offers several minors and certificates of completion. Details on these programs can be found in the Undergraduate Bulletin.